Former Super Eagles defender Etim Esin has declared that Nigeria’s World Cup qualification is firmly in the team’s hands following their resounding 4-0 victory over the Benin Republic.

Esin, who won 24 caps for Nigeria and was part of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, praised the players for showing the Nigerian resilience that has defined the country’s football heritage.

“So we can score four goals?” he jokingly began in the interview with The PUNCH after the game.

“You know when the odds are against us, that is when we can galvanise. Our qualification is in our hands, it was never in NFF’s hands, and definitely not in any coach’s hands.”

The former attacking midfielder believes the Super Eagles’ performance in Uyo demonstrated the level they are capable of reaching when properly motivated.

“If we can always raise our game like this, we wouldn’t have been in this position. That Nigerian resilience is what we showed now, and it is not over until it is over. It is about showing this now, we will go to this World Cup if we continue like this,” he said.

Esin urged the team to maintain their momentum as they head into the play-offs, insisting that qualification remains achievable.

“Until we qualify now, all hope is not lost. They have made some Nigerians happy now by doing this, and they just need to continue in this way,” he added.

Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and Frank Onyeka’s late strike ensured Nigeria finished as one of the best four second-placed teams in the African qualifiers with 15 points and a +7 goal difference.

The victory was Nigeria’s first time scoring four or more goals in a match since September 2023 and came at a crucial moment when their World Cup hopes hung by a thread.

Nigeria will now face one of the other qualified second-placed teams in a two-legged play-off tie for a chance to get a place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. (PUNCH)